Contents

Premise

A new evil has risen; a darkbending nation. The world may be fighting, but only the Avatar can defeat the Dark Lord and bring peace to the world.

Book Two: Light

Chapter Two: The United City

Previously on Naton

After a devastating crash land in Yue Bay, the Ben Hai are slowly recovering from serious injuries. They have a meeting with President Raiko, and they fear that there are spies in Republic City. The Ben Hai wait as their bodies prevent them from doing much. Meanwhile, the Dark Lord Eljero strengthens every day.

Chapter Two- The United City

The radio narrator's voice filled the hotel room. "Greetings, Republic City citizens! Today, the President has announced that he will help the war effort, as to check for spies in our city. He says there are armies outside that can help us, such as the Flare Rebels. The legendary Ben Hai are also recovering in our city. Now a report from our war correspondent."

Naton sat up in his bed. His right leg still hurt like crazy. "Hey guys. Is anyone awake?"

Beeno fell out of the bed. "Ow! Oh hi, Naton. I'm awake. And hurt."

"The darkbenders are still gaining territory, but the UDRF has gained a good advantage. They've slowly lowered the darkbending defenses. We also have news that the Fire Nation is gaining the upper hand as well. Rebel armies have banded together under the command of Narkan, a member of the Ben Hai."

"That's our Kian!" Beeno grinned, and limped toward the bathroom.

"We got a chance to interview Captain Meelo, leader of the Republic Guard. So, you say that some benders have allied with the dark nation?"

"Yeah. According to the Ben Hai, there's a metalbender out there who's working for the Dark Lord. It may seem small, but that means that some benders in Republic City could be spies."

"Spies? Then how do you wish to find these spies in such a populated city?"

"We're not sure yet. But once the rebels arrive, we'll keep the city under our watch. The President is working with the Ben Hai right now."

"Speaking of the Ben Hai, we have all heard news of the Avatar. Is it true the Avatar himself is in Republic City?"

"Yes. He is Avatar Naton. He's a bit late, but at least he's here."

"Has he mastered all four elements?"

"Yes. But he says that he'll need more than that to defeat the Dark Lord."

"But why is he so late? Most Avatars realize they're the Avatar when they're like... 12 or something."

"Master Onza told me his memory was wiped and his chi paths were redirected. We think a darkbender did it."

"That's interesting! A darkbender targeting the Avatar himself! Do you anything else about this mysterious case?"

"Not that I know of."

Naton turned off the radio. Aeron set breakfast on the table. "Well, now Republic City knows you're here," he said. Naton sighed.

Naton got into casual clothes and wrapped more bandages around his leg. Onza gathered everyone at the table. "We'll meet the President at the United Republic Government Building. Meelo has contacted the rebels. They'll come in a few days. In the meantime, we must prepare for any darkbender attack."

Karrie groaned. "So much and I haven't eaten breakfast yet."

"Speaking of breakfast-," Beeno grinned, and set a large bowl of noodle soup on the table. "When I was a little, I learned a secret recipe from a legendary chef. Trust me, it's actually good." Aeron peered at the soup.

"Looks okay." He sniffed it. "Blech! What is it made of?"

Beeno scratched his chin. "Uh.... seaweed, nuts.... and a little of bit of fermented turtle-newt."

Karrie plugged her nose. "Did that 'legendary chef' happen to be your dad?"

"As a matter of fact, it was!" Beeno said.

Onza sipped up some noodles. "Come on everyone. If we want to want to stay together as the Ben Hai, we must accept each other's..... limitations."

Naton chuckled. "Hey, it's better than nothing."

"See? Naton supports my cooking," Beeno smiled.

The Ben Hai drove over to the Government Building. Meelo and Rohan were waiting for them. "Glad you could make it. The president is inside." They sat down on a long table, the Ben Hai on one side, and the Republic Government on the other. Onza and Raiko sat on opposite ends.

"You talk about Kaaju, the son of Vaatu. Is he our biggest threat now?" Rohan asked.

"Yes. He is dangerous, maybe even more powerful than the Dark Lord," Onza replied. "After we crashed in Yue Bay, he probably returned to Dark Lord Eljero to tell him."

"So they're working together. This is very bad," Raiko said. "Vaatu is a force to be reckoned with, and his son isn't any better."

"Only the Avatar stands a chance against these two enemies," Gardie added.

Naton groaned. "Now I have two main guys?"

Aeron put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. Things might get better."

Han Beifong stood up. "This metalbender named Shin, who works for the darkbenders. He used to be a metalbending prodigy, a student of mine. I can't believe he went on their side."

"There are other benders out there too who serve the Dark Lord," Onza said. "The world is becoming more dangerous."

Han turned to the President. "The remaining police will help the Ben Hai. But I'm sure about those rebels."

"They're fine. Don't let the name 'rebel' catch you," Beeno grinned.

Meelo frowned. "As much as I want to, I don't like the sound of 'Flare Rebels'. You say you know their leader."

"Their leader is Kian, our waterbender. You can trust him with your life," Gardie said. "The Flare Rebels will serve the government with everything they have."

"Come on guys. We have to trust the rebels. We have to get as much armies as we can to fight against the darkbenders. The whole world depends on us. Even if we have to ally with some odd guys, we can't let the whole world down," Naton said.

President Raiko nodded. "I agree with the Avatar. We can't lose any more chances. Once they arrive, we'll begin investigating for spies."

Han Beifong and Meelo rallied up their forces and began setting up small camps around the city. The Ben Hai and Rohan traveled to Air Temple Island.

"Naton, I want you to meet somebody." He opened the door, and Naton saw an old man in a bed. "Dad, this is Avatar Naton."

Rohan helped the old man up. "So this is the new Avatar," he said. "I never though I'd see three Avatars in my lifetime."

Naton bowed to the airbending master. "I've already mastered airbending, but I still want to know a lot more about spirits."

Onza laughed. "Gardie can teach you about spirits anytime."

"Well, I'm sort of old. But I can tell you one thing," Tenzin said. Rohan picked up a picture from the shelf. It was a photo of Korra, Mako, Bolin, Asami and Tenzin's family. "I knew Avatar Korra. I was her airbending master. Not long before she was killed, she fought Vaatu in Republic City. I knew releasing the spirits was risky, but I never though it would come to this: a full out war." Tenzin looked at Naton. "After Korra was killed, everyone went crazy. Soon, the darkbenders attacked, and the world's been in chaos. Only you, the Avatar, can restore balance in the world."

"Balance? By killing the Dark Lord and Kaaju? Sounds right, but I don't think I can do it," Naton said. 'They sound really powerful. I already got a taste of Kaaju."

Tenzin cleared his throat. "Dark spirits are very dangerous. But remember, they grow even more powerful when there is negative energy inside of you. They react to your spirit."

"What?" Tenzin said. "That's not good. The Dark Lord could use that to his advantage."

"I know. I'm trying to find out why I darkbended. It came from a hate I have inside, but I don't know what it is," Naton sighed. "I may never lightbend again."

Gardie walked over to Naton. "You'll find it someday."

"Here. Take this." Tenzin pulled out an armband from the drawer. "This was Korra's. Keep it."

"What? I'm not keeping a girl's armband," Naton said.

"It's not. As the Avatar, she is your past life. Keep it, and she might tell you something."

Naton took the armband, and placed it on his left arm. "It feels odd."

"I think it looks good on you," Beeno joked.

The Ben Hai returned to the hotel, and the waiters served dinner. "I never though we'd have a day when talked nonstop," Karrie commented. "We always fight darkbenders, and when we don't, we travel a hundred miles."

Naton took a bite out of a piece of bread. "This reminds me of home. A low lying life, no worries, just business."

"But you're the Avatar. You can't live like that. Especially right now," Aeron said. "It's the Avatar's job to protect the world and keep balance. Like Tenzin said."

"Aeron's right." Onza set down his fork. "The only real hope the world has is you, Naton. Only you can defeat the Dark Lord-" Naton slammed his fist on the table.

"I know already! I know I'm the only one who can defeat him, so stop reminding me! What I really want, is how! You guys keep telling me I'm the Avatar and stuff, but you don't make things any better! You just make it worse!" Naton stormed out of the dining hall.

"Is someone going to talk to him?" Beeno whispered.

Naton stared at Republic City. The lights, the busy streets, and music of the people below. He sighed. "If only life was always like this." Gardie approached him.

"Naton."

"What?"

"I understand your point."

"Yeah? And?"

"But the problem is, we don't know how you can defeat him. Maybe lightbending will work, but with the condition you're in... it won't work."

"So? Do you think I should take away his darkbending instead?"

"That could work."

"Well, I'm not! I'm either going to not do it at all, or do some crazy spirit stuff!" Naton flung a pot into the bay.

"Naton, you're not alone. We're all here to help."

"Oh yeah? Gardie! You know a lot about spirits. Can't you teach me some spirit mumbo jumbo that I can use against the Dark Lord?"